South Fulton, GA Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 6-3003(a), Table 1
- Residential daytime cap (0-50 ft)
- 80 dB
- Residential nighttime cap (Sun-Thu)
- 70 dB
- Industrial cap (all times, 0-50 ft)
- 85 dB
- Large venue cap (5,000+ capacity)
- 95 dBC/10-min average
- Measured at
- real property line, slow response
Summary
South Fulton caps sound levels using Table 1 in Sec. 6-3003(a), a matrix set by zoning category, day of week, time of day and distance from the source. A residential property nearest a sound source, 0-50 feet, can face up to 80 dB in the daytime, dropping to 70 dB Sunday through Thursday nights and 75 dB Friday and Saturday nights.
No person shall cause, suffer, allow, or permit the operation of any sound source in such a manner as to create a sound level that exceeds the sound level limits set forth in table 1 when measured at or within the real property line of the receiving property using the slow response setting unless otherwise noted. Such a sound source would constitute a noise disturbance. Table 1 Sound Level Limits by Receiving Property. Residential or noise sensitive facility Everyday Daytime 0-50 feet 51-150 feet 151-300 feet Over 300 feet 80 dB 75 dB 65 dB 55 dB Residential or noise sensitive facility Sunday through Thursday Nighttime 0-50 feet 51-150 feet 151-300 feet Over 300 feet 70 dB 65 dB 55 dB 50 dB
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. " The table sets four distance bands, 0-50 feet, 51-150 feet, 151-300 feet, and over 300 feet, for each zoning/time combination. Residential or noise-sensitive receiving property faces 80/75/65/55 dB in the daytime, 70/65/55/50 dB overnight Sunday through Thursday, and 75/65/55/50 dB overnight Friday and Saturday. Commercial receiving property is capped at 80/75/65/55 dB weekday daytime and rises to 85/80/70/65 dB Friday-Saturday daytime, dropping to 70/65/55/50 dB weekday nights and 75/70/65/55 dB weekend nights. Industrial property carries a flat 85/80/70/65 dB limit at all times.
Sec. 6-3003(c) sets a separate 75 dBA daytime / 55 dBA nighttime cap for multifamily dwellings measured from the nearest neighboring unit, and Sec. 6-3003(d) caps large entertainment venues of 5,000-plus capacity at 95 dBC average over any ten-minute period during listed hours, dropping to 55 dBC otherwise, measured 500 feet from the sound board. Sec. "
Violations & Fines
Sec. 6-3008(a) treats a Table 1 violation as a city ordinance citation: fines run at least $200 for a first conviction, at least $500 for a second within 12 months, and at least $1,000 for a third within 24 months, plus possible automatic suspension of an alcohol license for a restaurant or late-night establishment on a third conviction. The municipal court may also order immediate abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the loudest sound allowed next to a South Fulton home during the day?
Do decibel limits change at night in South Fulton?
Are commercial and industrial properties held to the same decibel limits as homes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in South Fulton
Compare South Fulton to another location·View the Georgia noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Decibel Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle decibel limits.